CN114336132A

CN114336132A - Fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of a connector

Info

Publication number: CN114336132A
Application number: CN202111149508.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.施密特; J.尼克尔; W.萨恩格; C.格雷戈; M.利斯廷; R.杰特; C.科斯马尔斯基; W.巴利斯
Original assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2021-09-29
Publication date: 2022-04-12
Also published as: US20220115808A1; KR20220047523A; DE102020126541A1; KR102624069B1; EP3982490A1; JP2022063241A; US12009617B2; JP7348248B2

Abstract

A fixing device (100) for fixing a contact element (40) in a housing (20) of a connector (200) is shown, comprising a housing (20), wherein the housing (20) comprises a contact element receptacle (24) configured to receive at least one contact element (40), wherein the fixing device (100) comprises a clamping device (10) which is designed to clamp at least one contact element (40) in a contact element receptacle (24) with a clamping force (110) directed in a clamping direction (K), wherein the contact element (40) rests at least partially on a support surface (20) on a side facing away from the clamping device (10), the support surface (20) comprising a deflection surface (27) oriented at an angle to the clamping force (110), wherein the deflection surface (27) is configured to deflect the clamping force (110) acting on the contact element (40) at least in a component transverse to the clamping force (110).

Description

Fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of a connector

Technical Field

The invention relates to a fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of a connector. Such fastening devices are used, for example, in the automotive sector for preventing relative movements of the contact elements due to vibrations, since over a long period of time they remove the existing coating, which leads to an increase in the transition resistance. For correspondingly high currents, increased transition resistances can lead to damage, for example melting or ignition.

Background

Previously known solutions are often complex to operate and difficult to automate.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution by means of which the contact element can be fixed in the housing in a simple manner.

According to the invention, this is met by a fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of a connector, comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises a contact element receptacle configured to receive at least one contact element, wherein the fixing device comprises a clamping device configured to clamp the at least one contact element in the contact element receptacle with a clamping force directed in a clamping direction, wherein the contact element rests at least partially on a support surface on a side facing away from the clamping device, the support surface comprising a deflection surface oriented at an angle to the clamping force, wherein the deflection surface is configured to deflect the clamping force acting on the contact element at least in a component transverse to the clamping force.

Due to the deflection surface, the automatic clamping is effected not only in the direction of the clamping force but also in a direction transverse thereto, so that a fixing in both directions is obtained in a simple manner.

The clamping device may comprise a clamping body and a slide, which is slidable relative to the clamping body along a sliding direction, wherein the clamping body and the slide are configured to press the clamping body against the contact element along the clamping direction when the slide is slid along the sliding direction. The contact element may then be pressed against the deflection surface. Such a configuration may be easy to assemble.

In order to produce self-clamping, the clamping body and the sliding piece can interact via a ramp extending at an angle to the sliding direction. The ramp can be arranged on the clamping body or on the slide. Furthermore, there may be two ramps, one arranged on the clamping body and one on the slide.

The deflection surface may be parallel to the sliding direction. As a result, movement of the contact element relative to the housing and the clamping device during clamping can be prevented or reduced.

In a particularly space-saving configuration, the deflection surface can connect two vertical inner surfaces of the contact element receptacle to one another. The deflection surface may be arranged in an inner edge of the contact element receptacle

The deflection surface may have an angle of 10 to 80 degrees with respect to the clamping direction. In particular, the angle may be 20 to 70 degrees, in particular 30 to 60 degrees. The smaller the angle, the easier the contact element slides on the deflection surface, but the smaller the resulting force component.

For simple assembly, the sliding direction can be parallel to the plug-in direction along which the contact element is plugged into the contact element receptacle.

If the deflection surface extends parallel to the plug-in direction, a relative movement of the contact element in the contact element receptacle can be prevented or reduced.

In a further configuration, which can be assembled easily, the insertion direction in which the clamping device is inserted into the contact element receptacle can be parallel to the plug-in direction.

The housing and the clamping body can have interacting guide elements for guiding relative to one another along a defined path. The guide elements may comprise, inter alia, projections, such as shaft cams, bands and grooves.

Similarly, the clamping body and the slide can also comprise interacting guide elements. This may be used for guidance along a defined path, which may facilitate handling.

In an advantageous configuration, the clamping device can be configured to additionally fix the contact element in the plug-in direction. As a result, the fixing, in particular the clamping, can also be carried out in the plug-in direction, and vibrations can be further suppressed. To achieve this, the clamping device may comprise a fixing surface for fixing in the plug-in direction. The fastening surface can extend perpendicularly to the plug-in direction.

When the sliding element slides relative to the clamping body, the clamping body can be rotated relative to the housing and/or relative to the clamping body, at least in one end position of the clamping body in the housing. For example, during clamping, rotation may generate less friction than translational movement. To achieve this rotation, the clamping body and the housing may comprise a rotational bearing. Furthermore, the clamping body and the slide may comprise a rotary bearing. In particular, the rotational bearing may be a cylindrical inner or outer surface, which may be present, for example, on the shaft cam or in a cylindrical bore. The swivel bearing may also be formed by a guide element, for example by a groove.

The clamping device may be fixed in the housing by means of further elements. This simplifies the design of the clamping device, since no additional fixing elements need to be present on the clamping device. In particular, existing elements, such as sealing elements, can be used for fixing purposes and then perform a dual function. In particular, the fixing can be carried out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, in order to prevent the clamping device from slipping out or jumping out.

In one configuration, the width of the clamping device measured in the transverse direction may correspond to the width of the contact element. As a result, the contact element can carry high currents while providing a good clamping effect. The width direction may be perpendicular to the sliding direction and perpendicular to the clamping direction. A similar effect can be obtained if the widths differ by a small amount, for example by 10% or 20%.

Assembly can be simplified if the plugging direction along which the connector is plugged to the mating connector is parallel to the plugging-in direction.

The electrical connector may comprise a fixing device according to the invention and a contact element, wherein the contact element surrounds the conductor of the cable on at least three sides in the region of the clamping device.

In particular, the contact element can have a U-shaped cross section in the region of the clamping device. This configuration enables particularly simple installation of the conductors. The U-shaped cross-section may have a base and two legs projecting perpendicularly therefrom. The conductor is advantageously connected, in particular welded, to the contact element along the entire U-shaped cross-section in order to establish a secure connection.

In an advantageous configuration, the clamping device, in particular the clamping body, engages only at the legs of the U. This may result in less mechanical stress and less deformation on the contact element.

The edge or ridge of the contact element may rest on the deflection surface in order to be able to simply move the contact element.

At least in the area where the contact element abuts against the deflection surface, there may be a rounded edge in order to allow the contact element to easily slide over the deflection surface.

For simple assembly, the contact elements may form a socket for the cable.

The clamping device may exert a clamping force on the contact element only in the clamping direction. This configuration is easy to manufacture. The deflecting surface can cause clamping, in particular automatic clamping, transversely thereto.

The clamping body may comprise a pressing element protruding into a socket of the contact element. They may abut the contact elements in the end position or terminate shortly before the contact elements. Such pressing elements can in particular compensate for fatigue of the material during long-term use, since they produce an additional clamping effect. Such a clamping device is therefore safer.

The contact element receptacle may be configured asymmetrically. Furthermore, in the clamped state, the force flow may be asymmetric. This results in a higher clamping force. In particular, only a single deflection surface may be present in the contact element receptacle. This allows for a simple insertion.

A connecting line from a force introduction point, at which the clamping force is introduced into the contact element, to the deflection surface may extend parallel to the clamping direction. The force flow can then run in a straight line and the relative movement can be prevented. In particular, the legs of the socket may extend parallel to the clamping direction.

The angle of the deflection surface may be configured for lateral sliding of the contact element. The angle may be selected based on material pairing, surface properties, adhesion coefficient, and geometry. The angle can be chosen in particular such that it is smaller than the angle of adhesion without slipping due to static friction, or smaller than the self-locking angle at which the clamping body is pressed into the deflecting surface.

The support surface may be formed by spaced ribs. As a result, the support surface may be smaller and the associated friction may be minimized. This may simplify sliding.

For simple contacting, the deflection surface may protrude in the direction of the contact element on the support surface.

The fixing means serves to prevent or reduce vibration caused by jamming. It may therefore also be referred to as a vibration protection or clamping assembly.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by way of example on the basis of advantageous configurations, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantageous further developments and configurations shown here are each independent of one another and can be combined with one another as required, depending on how this is necessary in the application.

Drawings

In the context of the figures, it is,

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a fixation device;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic, partially cut-away perspective view of another embodiment of a fixation device;

figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the clamping body and the slide;

fig. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the fixing device from fig. 3;

figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the clamping body and the slide from figure 4 from a different angle;

fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a contact element receptacle.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fixing device 100 for fixing a contact element 40 in a housing 20 of a connector 200. Fig. 3 to 6 show a second embodiment, which, however, differs only slightly from the first embodiment. Thus, the general principles are to be interpreted in both of them.

The fixture 100 includes a housing 20, wherein the housing 20 includes a contact element receptacle 24 configured to receive at least one contact element 40.

The contact element 40 comprises a plug section 44, at which plug section 44 the contact element 40 can be plugged together with a mating contact element (not shown in more detail) of a mating connector. The illustrated plug section 44 is configured as a receptacle into which flat contacts may be plugged.

Furthermore, the contact element 40 comprises a connection portion 42, at which connection portion 42 the contact element 40 is connected to a conductor 78 of a cable 79. For this purpose, the contact element 40 comprises a receptacle 45 for the conductor 78. In the case shown, the socket 45 has a U-shaped cross-section, comprising a base 46 and two legs 48, the legs 48 being connected to the base 46 by edges 47 and extending perpendicularly to the base 46. Thus, the receptacle 45 forms a right angle receiving channel that surrounds the conductor 78 on three sides.

The contact element 40 is made of sheet metal. The base 46 and the leg 48 are each formed flat. The edge 47 is formed in a rounded shape to allow easy sliding.

The conductor 78 is soldered to the contact element 40. This may be achieved, for example, by an electric current that causes melting, and thus melting, due to an increase in electrical resistance between the conductor 78 and the contact element 40. In particular, the contact element 40 may be connected to the conductor 78 along the entire U-shaped cross-section.

The connector 200 further comprises a locking mechanism 230 configured to lock the connector 200 to a mating connector (not shown in detail). For sealing purposes, a sealing element 210 is also present on the front side. A sealing element (not shown in detail) on the rear side is likewise used for sealing purposes, in particular against the cable 79.

The fastening device 100 further comprises a clamping device 10 which is configured to clamp at least one contact element 40 in the contact element receptacle 24 with a clamping force 110 directed in a clamping direction K.

In the clamping state, the contact element 40 rests at least partially in the housing 20 on a support surface 25 on a side facing away from the clamping device 10, the support surface 25 comprising a deflection surface 27 oriented at an angle to the clamping force 110. The deflection surface 27 is configured to deflect the clamping force 110 acting on the contact element 40 at least in a component transverse to the clamping force 110 and the clamping direction k. As a result, the contact element 40 is clamped in the contact element receptacle 24 in both spatial directions and is fixed in an anti-vibration manner.

The clamping device 10 comprises a clamping body 11 and a slide 12 which is slidable in a sliding direction V relative to the clamping body 11. The clamping body 11 and the slide 12 are configured to press the clamping body 11 against the contact element 40 in the clamping direction K when the slide 12 slides in the sliding direction V.

In order to spread the clamping device 10 together with the contact element 40 and thus to catch it in the contact element receptacle 24, the clamping body 11 and the slide 12 interact via a bevel 13 on the clamping body 11 and the slide 12, the bevel 13 being at an angle to the sliding direction V.

The use of the fixture 100 is as follows:

first, the contact element 40 is plugged into the contact element receptacle 24 in a plug-in direction E.

After this, the clamping device 10 is inserted into the contact element receptacle 24 in an insertion direction F, which in this case is parallel to the plug-in direction E. In this step, the contact body 11 is pushed by the slider 12. The sliding surface 59 on the contact body 11 is in contact with the mating sliding surface 69 on the slider. Once the clamping device 10 has reached the assembly position in the housing 20, the sliding surface 59 and the mating sliding surface 69 are automatically released and disengaged from each other.

Thereafter, the slide 12 slides along the sliding direction V relative to the clamping body 11. In the example shown, the sliding direction is parallel to the plug-in direction E and the plug-in direction F, so that simple assembly is possible. Due to the inclined surface 13, the clamping device 10 expands in a clamping direction K perpendicular to the sliding direction V and clamps the contact element 40 with the clamping force 110 against the support surface 25 along the clamping direction K. The support surface 25 is formed by spaced ribs 26.

Since the deflection surface 27 extends at an angle to the clamping direction K, the contact element 40 is clamped in the contact element receptacle 24 in the second direction in a transverse direction Q transverse to the clamping direction K and transverse to the sliding direction V. The angle 127 of the deflection surface 27 with respect to the clamping direction K is selected such that no self-locking occurs, but the contact elements of the contact element 40 can easily slide along the deflection surface 27. In the example shown, the angle 127 is about 20-30 degrees.

The force introduction point 49 at which the clamping device 10 transmits the clamping force 110 in the clamping direction K to the contact element 40 is located directly above the deflection surface 27. The legs 48 of the contact elements 40 extend parallel to the clamping direction K from the force introduction point 49 to the deflection surface 27.

The sliding direction V is parallel to the plugging direction S. This makes assembly easy.

In order to prevent the contact element 40 from moving along the sliding direction V during clamping, the deflection surface 27 extends parallel to the sliding direction V.

The deflection surface 27 connects two vertical inner surfaces 29 of the contact element receptacle 24 to each other. Which extends along an inner edge 28 in the contact element receptacle 24. In the example shown, there is only a single deflection surface 27, and therefore the contact element receptacle 24 is asymmetrical. The corresponding force flows are likewise asymmetrical.

The clamping device 10 comprises a fixing surface 56 on the contact body 11, by means of which fixing surface 56 the clamping device 10 additionally fixes the contact element 40 in the contact element receptacle 24 in the plug-in direction E. The fixing surface 56 engages behind the plug section 44 of the contact element 40.

In the embodiment shown, the clamping body 11 rotates relative to the housing 20 and/or relative to the clamping body 11 when the slide 12 slides relative to the clamping body 11. For this purpose, a rotary bearing 34 is present on the clamping body 11 and the slide 12. The rotary bearing 34 is formed on the clamping body 11, for example as part of the

shaft cams

51, 53.

For example, it can be seen in fig. 3 that a width 310 of clamping device 10 (which is currently defined by a width 311 of contact body 11) measured in transverse direction Q corresponds to a width 340 of contact element 40. This enables the use of a wide contact element 40 with a good clamping effect.

The exemplary embodiment according to fig. 3 to 6 differs from the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1 and 2 in particular in that the clamping body 11 comprises a pressing element 54 which projects into the receptacle 45 of the contact element 40. In the case of long-term use (for example several years), these pressing elements 54 can ensure that sufficient clamping force 110 is still transmitted in the event of material fatigue of the clamping body 11. For this purpose, the pressing surface 58 present in the new state on the pressing element 54 is arranged in contact with the conductor 78 or slightly above it.

In order to be able to generate high pressure, the clamping surface 55 is supported on the rest of the contact body 11 by a flat vertical stiffening element 57. The planes of these reinforcing elements 57 extend parallel to the clamping direction K and parallel to the transverse direction Q.

In order to guide the clamping body 11 and the slide 12 relative to one another and relative to the housing 20, guide

elements

31, 33 are provided, which are capable of guided, defined movement along a path.

The clamping device 10 can be fixed in the housing 90 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction F by means of a further element, in particular a rear sealing element.

List of reference numerals

10 clamping device

11 clamping body

12 sliding part

13 inclined plane

20 casing

24 contact element socket

25 support surface

26 Ribs

27 deflecting surface

28 inner edge

29 inner surface

31 guide element

33 guide element

34 swivel bearing

40 contact element

41 clamping part

44 plug-in part

45 socket

46 base part

47 edge

48 legs

49 force introduction point

51-shaft cam

53-shaft cam

54 pressing element

55 clamping surface

56 fixed surface

57 reinforcing element

58 pressing surface

59 sliding surface

69 mating sliding surface

78 conductor

79 electric cable

100 fixing device

110 clamping force

127 degree angle

200 connector

210 front side sealing element

230 locking mechanism

310 width of the clamping device

311 width of the clamping body

340 width of contact element

K clamping direction

E insertion direction

S direction of insertion

Q transverse direction

Direction of sliding V

Claims

1. A fixing device (100) for fixing a contact element (40) in a housing (20) of a connector (200), comprising the housing (20), wherein the housing (20) comprises a contact element receptacle (24) configured to receive at least one contact element (40), wherein the fixing device (100) comprises a clamping device (10) configured to clamp the at least one contact element (40) in the contact element receptacle (24) with a clamping force (110) directed in a clamping direction (K), wherein the contact element (40) rests at least partially on a support surface (20) on a side facing away from the clamping device (10), the support surface (20) comprising a deflection surface (27) oriented at an angle to the clamping force (110), wherein the deflection surface (27) is configured to deflect an acting on the contact element (40) at least in a component transverse to the clamping force (110) The clamping force (110).

2. Fixing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (10) comprises a clamping body (11) and a slide, which is slidable relative to the clamping body (11) along a sliding direction (V), wherein the clamping body (11) and the slide (12) are configured to press the clamping body (11) against the contact element (40) along the clamping direction (K) when the slide (12) is slid along the sliding direction (V).

3. The fixing device (100) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the clamping body (11) and the slide (12) interact by means of a ramp (13) extending at an angle with respect to the sliding direction (V).

4. The fixture (100) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the deflection surface (27) extends parallel to the sliding direction (V).

5. The fixture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deflection surface (27) connects two vertical inner surfaces (29) of the contact element receptacle (24) to each other.

6. The fixture (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the deflection surface (27) has an angle (127) of 10 to 80 degrees with respect to the clamping direction (K).

7. Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sliding direction (V) extends parallel to a plug-in direction (E) along which the contact element (40) is plugged into the contact element receptacle (24).

8. The fixation device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the deflection surface (27) extends parallel to the plug-in direction (E).

9. The fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an insertion direction (F) in which the clamping device (10) is inserted into the contact element receptacle (24) is parallel to the plug-in direction (E).

10. The fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the clamping device (10) is configured to additionally fix the contact element (40) along the plug-in direction (E).

11. The fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the clamping body (11) rotates relative to the housing (20) and/or relative to the clamping body (11) when the slide (12) slides relative to the clamping body (11).

12. The fixture (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a width (310) of the clamping device (10) measured in a transverse direction (Q) corresponds to a width (340) of the contact element (40).

13. The fixing device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a plugging direction (S) along which the connector (200) is plugged to a mating connector is parallel to the plugging-in direction (E).

14. Electrical connector comprising a fixing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a contact element (40), wherein the contact element (40) surrounds a conductor (78) of an electrical cable (79) on at least three sides in the region of the clamping device (10).

15. Electrical connector according to claim 14, wherein the clamping body (11) comprises a pressing element (54) protruding into a socket (45) of the contact element (40).